Conventions of RAP

Conventions of the genre RAP

The conventions of RAP are as follows.

• Characters - the characters of a conventional rap video are generally, young black characters, they are renowned for this genre of music. There are a few exceptions to this steroetype. E.g. Eminem. They are quite often relating back to their youth - often spent in rough, urban areas and how they got their break in life.

• Mise en scene - the mise en scene in which is used in the general RAP video is as follows

1.     C - Costume, loads of bling e.g. big thick gold chains, rings, diamond earrings etc. hats of all kinds, baggy trousers, loose t shirts etc.

2.     L - Lighting in which is used in RAP videos can vary, it can be whatever the artist wants but it is generally dark, this is a typical view of a RAP video lighting.

3.     A - Actors tend to be young black males, this is efinitely a stereotype of a black artist, but it is often true

4.     M - Make up that is used in RAP videos is often seen on the girls who perform in the videos. They are generally wearing either quite a lot of make up or hardly any, depending on the song type.

5.     P - Props that are used can vary from one RAP video to another, this also depends on the content of the song.

6.     S - Setting is a very key thing to a RAP video. E.g. Eminem's RAP video, Beautiful, is performed in a run down warehouse type of setting.

• Iconography (signs/props) - the iconography of a RAP video is as follows.

1.     "Gangsta's"

2.     "Bling"

3.     "Women"

4.     "Hats"

All these things and more are used to represent who they artists are and how they represent themselves, for the audience to remember them as.

• Narrative

Story telling is the foundation of RAP music, To tell the story in an entertaining way, rappers use the same techniques as poets, utilising alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to carry the message to the audience. In addition, rappers also use accompanying instrumentals, in which is reffered to as the "beat".

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• Themes

The main themes of the typical RAP video are;

1.     Sex

2.     Drugs

3.     Women

4.     Violence
5.     Tough Upbringing
6.     Urban Lifestyle

These are often seen either individually or together within a RAP video. A very understandable and typical example of this is 50 Cent feat Olivia and Marque - Candy Shop. This contains themes of 'women' and 'sex'.

• Sounds

The sounds used in RAP videos are used in many different ways in which the artist wants. A "beat" is used in many different videos. The "beat" is a key part of RAP music, many failed RAP artists are usually remembered for not haviung the correcty "beat" to go with their story. The "beat" is generally consistent and last throughout the whole song. Many rappers have deviated from this formula, choosing to switch up beats and to add even more variety.